Anyone who is at least thirty-five years old will probably remember one of the most brilliant advertising campaigns to date. The American Express company featured well-known celebrities in commercial scenarios checking into hotels, renting cars, and paying for dinner in restaurants. As they presented their American Express card they would say, "Don't leave home without it."

Fast forward to recent years and we find ourselves in the days of Apple Pay and other mobile payment apps. There was a time when cash was king but regardless of which method of payment you prefer to use, we are still able to buy and sell when, how, and where we choose. There is a day coming when commerce and worship will be intrinsically linked. It will be a time when buying or selling requires worship.

If I want to go to the store and buy a few groceries for dinner, all I need is my preferred form of payment and depending on the situation, a form of identification such as my driver's license. I pick up my bread, pickles, and cold cuts and pay the cashier without giving the transaction a second thought.

How many times have you swiped your credit card for gas, a hotel room, dinner with your spouse, or paying your utility bill? I'm certain it's probably hundreds of times and whether you paid by cash, check, or card, buying, and selling is something that is second nature to us. If you own a business, your entire livelihood depends on your ability to sell goods or services and collect payments. At first glance, buying and selling are activities that we can all take for granted because it is so woven into the fabric of our daily lives.

Because commerce is so routine, many of us don't stop to think about what would happen if someone would come to power and drastically alter the mechanisms in which we engage in buying and selling. This scenario has unfolded numerous times in history and on occasion, it will ostracize a certain segment of the population so they aren't able to buy or sell.

This is the sort of unimaginable evil that Jewish people had to endure in the 1930s as German laws were changed to prohibit commerce with them. More recently we have vicious rulers in Cuba, North Korea, and in Venezuela who can brutally crush dissent with impunity. Oftentimes, these despots will use controls over commerce and commodities to keep people in line.

The desperate food shortages now being realized in Venezuela and North Korea are the direct result of evil men being consumed by the lust for absolute power. I watch the global economies and the interwoven complexities of today's financial markets with great interest. If there is a selloff in an Asian market, the reverberations are felt in other markets around the world and on Main Street.

I don't know what will trigger the beginning of an economy controlled by one man but regardless of how it transpires, we see continued global economic crisis and geopolitical upheaval as indicative of the last days.

Moreover, the massive influx of refugees into Europe and the U.S., along with the spike in terror attacks in prominent Western cities and capitals-may result in a consolidation of power by one man based on the demand for peace and safety.

Coercion, exclusion and deprivation are the methods evil men use, and as ruthless as these men are, someone much worse will emerge on the world stage. A day is coming when one man will take control of the global financial infrastructure. This man will be the Antichrist and when he comes to power, the Bible makes it clear that no one will be able to buy or sell without the mark (his name or the number of his name) on their right hand or forehead.

He will have an accomplice in compelling people to take his mark. The False Prophet will perform great signs, exercise great authority, and causes people to take the mark of the beast (Antichrist) in order to buy or sell. People who refuse to worship the beast and take his mark are unable to purchase anything including the basic necessities of life. When the Antichrist comes on the scene he will be a deceiver straight from hell. Daniel 11:36 says he will speak against the One true God and exalt himself. This man is going to be persuasive; lying signs and wonders will cause people to be loyal to him.

There is something even more troubling about the Antichrist's rise to power. This may be oversimplified for some readers but for the sake of others who aren't familiar with Bible prophecy, please allow me to explain a very important detail that is frankly a matter of eternal life or death. Worship is the centerpiece of the Antichrist's economy. A time is coming when cash, checks, and credit cards will be useless. The Bible makes it clear that no one can buy or sell unless they have Antichrist's mark. take a close look at what the Bible says about this worship based economic system.

"Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666" ( Revelation 13:16-18).

"And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, 'If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name" (Revelation 14:9-11).

The Bible makes it very clear that taking the mark and worship are intricately linked together. Notice the apostle John wrote, "And they have no rest, day or night, those worshippers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name" (Revelation 14:11).

In these cases, people have willfully either rejected Christ altogether or have known Him but have fallen into deception. I believe the current slide toward the emergent church and ecumenism is setting up lukewarm Christians to embrace a one-world religious system. The bottom line is this: People who truly belong to Jesus are not going to be deceived.

Satanic deception is already at work in the world right now preparing the way for Antichrist. There is a willful process of turning aside into false teaching. Remember the warning in Matthew 24:24 when Jesus warns that false prophets would appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect if that were possible.

A growing number of prominent evangelical teachers and leaders who are teaching that it is possible to receive the mark of the beast and still be saved and go to heaven! This is utter foolishness and a downright dangerous teaching. There is an eternally important point you must remember. Receiving the mark of the beast and worshipping him are intrinsically linked together.

If you receive the mark of the beast, you will worship him; you will be able to buy and sell and be eternally lost. Moreover, you have worshiped Satan because he gives authority to the Antichrist. I'm warning you as a Bible teacher and friend, you can't receive the mark of the beast and go to heaven.

The Bible clearly says that anyone who receives the mark will be tormented day and night with fire forever and cannot repent after taking the mark. Throughout biblical history, the same scenario has played out. People either choose to serve the Lord or to serve Satan. Walking with Jesus will cost us, but He has overcome the world.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

I want to remind you that there are believers all over this planet suffering for their faith right now. Ministries such as Barnabas Fund, Voice of the Martyrs, and others tell us about countless instances of our Christian family being persecuted even now. In many parts of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, Christians are hungry, destitute, ostracized, and persecuted by governmental authorities and extremists groups. This is not an anomaly, this has been the norm for Christians over the last twenty centuries. I'm left wondering why many Christians here in the West are lulled into believing that we are the "lucky" generation that receives a pass.

I absolutely stand on biblical authority regarding a pre-millennial Rapture and that believers will indeed be raptured before God pours out His wrath on an unrepentant world. It is certain that followers of Jesus are not appointed to God's wrath. It is equally certain that there will be believers living in the end times will be persecuted for their faithfulness to Jesus. We are constantly told through Scripture to endure until the end, to finish well, and to abide in Him.

I want to exhort you to remain strong in the Lord no matter what comes our way. It's biblical to look at the big picture of global conditions to understand the times and discern the season we are in. It doesn't require an advanced degree in theology to see that things conditions are deteriorating in regard to how Christians and Christianity are viewed here in the West.

Some of you will read this article about the coming worldwide persecution of Christians and will dismiss the warning because you are 100 percent convinced that you won't be around for it but will be raptured before global persecution begins It has already begun. on various levels. Unfortunately, your ironclad belief in a pre-Tribulation Rapture is based on your opinion and own personal interpretation of Scripture and not biblical fact.

The trials and tribulations believers are going to endure are not God's wrath being poured out. We aren't appointed to it and therefore won't be here for it. I want to close by saying that as we approach the time of Jesus' return, the days will continue to grow evil, violent, and the love of many will grow cold. We need to be salt and light in this world that desperately needs it. We see preparations and global economic shifts being made that will ultimately result in a global economy under the Antichrist.

Look at what is happening right now in places like Venezuela. It's an indicator as to how rapidly social unrest and chaotic conditions deteriorate when evil men rule. Millions of people in Venezuela are forced to eat horses and domestic animals right now for food! Hospitals in the capital Caracas are in shambles and the unsanitary conditions are unbelievable. This is just the tip of the approaching iceberg because when Antichrist demands worship in order to participate in the economy, while many people will receive his mark, faithful believers won't.

We must remember we are in the world and not of it. We are told to endure to the end and that Jesus would never leave or forsake us. The Holy Spirit will enable the faithful remnant to stand firm until we are caught up together with Him in the air. Blessings to you as you continue to finish well for Jesus.

President Trump's Middle East tour has been going very well and many are optimistic of the future of that region! Trump's encouraging, bold and stern message to Middle Eastern leaders and to the evil empire of Iran has been very much applauded and quite refreshing especially after the last eight years under the lawless globalist and anti Semite Obama. It is no secret to any that the Middle East - especially Israel and the Palestinians - hold the key to global peace in many ways and many see Trump after this visit as the man to finally accomplish it.

Can President Trump be the one to bring peace to that region and to the city Jerusalem? Well, if you live in a subjective world void of Almighty God's Word and are practicing unbelief while walking in the darkness and vanity of your own mind then you might think so; since those who are unbelieving walk in darkness and have zero vision of this world's future and what it will exactly take to achieve peace in the Middle East. Almighty God through the centuries has spelled out quite clearly in His INFALLIBLE Word what it will take to bring TRUE peace to Jerusalem and to this world; but none dare want to know for in knowing one must condemn himself and turn in repentance to His Creator and Savior the Lord Jesus Messiah (John 3:16-17, Acts 4:12). It is the rejection of the Savior of this world by this world that will lead to the global bloodbath of the seven year tribulation; and it will be the ravishing of Israel under the anti Christ (Matt. 24:15-19, Rev. 12;13) climaxing with the global bloodbath of Armageddon at Messiah's glorious return; which Jesus Messiah will obliterate the global armies of the Anti Christ and finally bring about a TRUE and EVERLASTING PEACE to Jerusalem (the City of Peace), to the nation of Israel and to the world (Isa. 24:5-6, Dan. 9:24-27, Zech. 12:4,14:2-4, Rev. 19:11-21)!

What Israel and the nations have attempted for centuries and could NEVER achieve will finally be accomplished at Almighty God the Son's second coming to earth (Psalm 2, 24:7-10, 110, Isa. 2:3, 9:6-7, 33:22, 51:5,61:1-11, Dan. 2:34-35, 44-45, 7:13-14, Micah 4:1-3, Zech. 14:16-21, Rev. 19:11-21)...

The TRUE Peace Comes to Jerusalem!

It will be ONLY by the Prince of Peace that TRUE and EVERLASTING PEACE will come to the City of Jerusalem (Isa. 9:6-7, 33:5, 53:5, 62;1, Jer. 33:16, Zech 8:3, Matt. 5:35, Rom. 10:2-4, Eph. 2:12-19, Col. 1:20, Heb. 1:3, 10:7-14). How many in vain through out the ages have sought and prayed in sincerity for the peace of Jerusalem WITHOUT knowledge nor understanding (Isa. 29:13, 58:1-8, Matt. 7:21-23, 15:3, 7-9, Mark 12:24)? Throughout the last 2600 years, how many sons of Abraham have totally missed the reality and truth of the Holy Scriptures of just how this Divine peace MUST be established (Deut. 9:6, 28-30,31:27, Lev. 26, Psalm 78, Isa. 53:5, Ezek. 12:2, Dan 9:26, Matt. 15:3-7-9, Luke 13:34-35, Acts 7, Rom. 9-11, Rev. 1:7)?

My dear friend, please try to comprehend that ALL current global events are indeed heading to this destination and EXPONENTIALLY beyond (Rev. 19:11-21)! Remember the words of the Lord Jesus in which He specifically told His disciples to pray, "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven (Matt. 6:9-10)." Oh my beloved! How many people pray this prayer day after day and are absolutely oblivious to what it is testifying to and stating! "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."

It will indeed take the horrific seven year tribulation period to wake up the Jew and the gentile nations to this reality (Isa. 24:5-6, Rev. 6:14-17, 17:2). There is absolutely NO hope for Israel and the nations of the world apart for their Creator and Savior, Jesus Messiah (John 3:16-17, Eph. 2:12-16, Heb 1:2-3). It will NOT be until the Jew is reconciled with Jehovah God and receive their Messiah as their sacrificial lamb, propitiation and Savior that the nations WILL BE BLESSED (Isa. 2:1-4, 19:23-25, Micah 4:1-4, Zech. 8:23, Rom. 11:12) and TRUE DIVINE PEACE will go forth out of Jerusalem unto the entire world (Isa. 2:3-4,33:16, 62:1, Jer. 33:5)!

My friend, do you have a saving relationship to Jesus Messiah the Savior of the world (Psalm 110:1, Isa. 43:11,52:13-15, 53)? All depends on this very union. His death, burial and resurrection to the Right Hand of Almighty God is the center piece of all ETERNITY (Gen. 22:8, Psalm 110:1, Isa. 53, 1 Cor. 15:1-4, Rev. 1:18,13:8, 21-22:1-5). He will indeed come back to establish His Kingdom on His earth and the gates of Hell shall not nor NEVER prevent this from happening (Dan. 2:44-45, 7:13-14, Rev. 1:7, 16:13-16, 19:11-21).

As the days grow nearer to the Day of the Lord be sure that you know the Savior and Messiah of Israel as dictated by the Holy Scriptures!

Donald and Melania Trump's first stop on their premier international tour benefitted royalty. That's how it was planned and that's how it's being orchestrated.

Saudi Arabia 'put on the dog' for the president and his contingency, welcoming them with as much flare as the monarchy could muster up. They wanted the world to see how seriously they take their newfound friendship with President Trump and his efforts to spread goodwill among the world's three great monotheistic religions.

Americans are thrilled with the respect shown its president. And they believe it will produce a joint effort to fight the message of radical Islamic extremism.

Amid all the finery and lavish display, the Saudis pressed their point at a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, who touted Trump's "new approach and determination" to end the Israeli-Arab conflict.

"He certainly has the vision and we believe the strength and the decisiveness, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stands prepared to work with the United States in order to bring about peace between Israelis and Palestinians - and Israelis and Arabs," the prince said, Arutz7 reported.

Fifteen years ago, the Saudi monarchy came up with a workable plan, one that all nations could agree on, except Israel.

In 2002, it announced a peace plan, backed by the Arab League, to resolve the conflict. They presented it as the best possible way to bring peace - not just in Israel - but in all of the Middle East.

The plan calls for Israel to roll back to the pre-1967 armistice lines, divide its capital and accept the "right of return" of as many as 6.5 million descendants of Arabs who left the country in 1948 and 1967 and have been kept in refugee status for future use against the Jewish state.

And in exchange for that, many Arab League member nations will accept Israel's right to exist - and maybe even sign a peace treaty with it, the way Egypt and Jordan did. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Jordan's King Abdullah II are both lined up with the Saudi initiative.

Here's the short version according to God's plan. Sooner or later, all the nations of the world are going to unite against Israel.

In 1948, none of Israel's Arab neighbors accepted the U.N. partition. Instead, they attacked the nascent Jewish state, confident they would be victorious. They weren't.

Nearly 70 years later, they're professing, in the name of peace, to accept the original partition, dubbed "Auschwitz borders" because they're indefensible.

As the nation prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Six-Day War, when it defeated another multi-pronged attack by neighboring Arab countries, the nations of the world are calling on it to cede Judea and Samaria and re-divide Jerusalem, not a winning proposition from Israel's point of view.

It's not a little ironic that the man who campaigned on a pro-Israel platform may turn out to be God's chosen vessel to bring the Jewish state to the point that He steps in to defend her.

Peace, peace when there is no peace? (see Jeremiah 6, 8; Ezekiel 13) Un-walled villages? (see Ezekiel 38) Is it all coming to pass before our eyes?

"At that time they shall call Yerushalayim the throne of Hashem; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of Hashem, to Yerushalayim." Jeremiah 3:17 (The Israel Bible™)

In an unprecedented and historic gesture on Monday, US President Donald Trump became the first sitting American president ever to visit the Western Wall, the last remaining remnant of the Jewish Holy Temple destroyed 2,000 years ago and one of the holiest sites in Israel. The visit deeply touched the people of Israel, who saw it as a true affirmation that the president recognizes the Biblical and God-given nature of the Jewish land.

His visit came the day before Israel is due to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the city's unification in the 1967 Six-Day War, when the Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism, returned to the Jews after 2,000 years.

All eyes were on President Trump, joined by wife, daughter, son-in-law and a large entourage of security personnel, as he made his way on Monday afternoon through the twisting cobblestone alleys of the Old City to emerge onto the completely emptied plaza of the Western Wall, or Kotel - a trip no other acting president has ever made.

The president was greeted there by the rabbi of the Western Wall, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch, and Mordechai Eliav, director-general of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, who presented him with a Book of Psalms. After speaking with the rabbi, Trump approached the wall alone, standing for several moments in prayer at the holy site, a black kippah on his head. His prayers complete, he placed a note in the wall and respectfully backed away before turning to leave, as Jewish tradition requires.

The significance of the event was undeniable. Israel held its breath as the president made his pivotal visit, and media instantly exploded with videos, photos and analysis of the moving moment that the leader of the free world placed his hand on the ancient stones to pray.

Trump himself clearly internalized the spiritual and political implications of the act, even changing the cover photo on his Twitter account to the instantly iconic image of himself standing at the Kotel.

But perhaps the most significant - and unnoticed - result of Trump's deep connection to the heart of Israel came when the White House broke with decades of policy by quietly acknowledging that Jerusalem is, in fact, part of the Jewish state, posting the video feed of Trump's visit on its official website with the caption "Jerusalem Israel".

Though Congress officially recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital in 1995, the White House does not acknowledge this in official communications. On at least two occasions, the previous administration amended communications that identified Jerusalem as being in Israel.

Trump's entourage was also deeply affected by the president's worship. In an unrehearsed and touching move, a number of White House staffers and security forces, including Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, donned kippot and moved forward to pray at the wall.

The women of the White House made a powerful multi-faith gesture. Ivanka, the president's Jewish daughter, prayed at the Kotel in the adjacent women's section, dressed modestly, her hair symbolically covered in the manner of married women. Visibly moved, tears filled her eyes as she prayed. Ivanka converted to Judaism before marrying Jared Kushner, and was given the Hebrew name Yael. She posted on her Twitter account, "It was deeply meaningful to visit the holiest site of my faith and to leave a note of prayer."

First Lady Melania Trump also prayed at the site, pressing her hand against the stones and leaving a note. Melania has been noted for her Christian devotion, drawing national attention when she opened a rally in Florida during her husband's campaign by reciting a prayer from the New Testament.

Contained in this political gesture intended to bring Israel and the US closer was a powerful religious message. The First Family, composed of Jews and Christians, came together in Jerusalem to pray. Jared Kushner, raised in the Orthodox Jewish faith, prayed alongside his Christian father-in-law. Ivanka, an observant convert to Judaism, prayed alongside her Christian mother-in-law. No fuss was made in the media about the multi-faith nature of the prayer, but many noted the worshipers' apparent sincerity and devotion.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un continues to fire off missiles that fail shortly after lifting off. But there are enough successes to portend a time when he can arm them with nuclear devices to kill hundreds of thousands. The ayatollahs and military of Iran continue on course to produce deliverable nuclear weapons to rain upon the hated Israel. Russian president Putin becomes more bellicose by the day, sending his bombers near America's Alaskan shores. He has fighter jets buzzing American aircraft within twenty feet in some cases.

Syrian dictator Assad continues to inflict genocide in the region, no doubt causing Israel's military to consider preemptive action to protect the Jewish state.

China, despite some minor, peaceful overtures to President Trump and America, continues to build its military and new bases in waters that are considered international rather than Chinese territorial waters. ISIS and the many Israel-hating terrorist entities continue to plan and carry out murderous assaults around the world.

This is a time that there is a cry for peace and safety, while there seems little peace upon the planet.

Our president is going to the Middle East to have a go at formulating a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians-a thing many diplomats of every stripe have tried but failed to achieve.

Everything in regard to those geopolitical exigencies seem to point to just how near this generation is to the time of Tribulation, the final seven years immediately preceding Christ's Second Advent. But, those represent only one side of the equation that makes up the signals we are to look for in being watchmen on the wall as Bible prophecy fulfillment draws near.

While the volatility and violence that will be part of end-times indicators are certainly something to consider, Jesus painted a much different picture that will be on the scene when He next catastrophically intervenes into the affairs of fallen mankind.

We know that the Bible-that God's prophets-never contradict one another. If we search deeply enough and long enough, we will see the interconnectedness and the absolute integrity of prophetic truth. So, how, as God's Word says, does Paul's prophecy, "evil men and seducers will [get] worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived," comport with Jesus' own words about the moment He will next break in upon this rebellious world?

How does, for example, the Lord's own declaration make sense? He prophesies that people will be buying, selling, marrying, and building-doing all the things of everyday life. How does that declaration not conflict with the Revelation foretelling twenty-one devastating judgments given to John on Patmos?

That is, how does such a not-unpleasant set of circumstances like Jesus describes using the days of Noah and of Lot not contradict the Olivet Discourse? The Lord's words describe conditions so horrific when Christ comes back that no flesh would be saved if He did not return at that moment (Matthew 24: 21).

The only answer to why there are these diametrically different prophetic descriptions-that of business as usual and that of the worst times of human history-is, of course, wrapped up in the apostle Paul's foretelling.

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

The pre-millennial, pre-tribulation view of Christ's return is the only view that answers the big questions about the apparent contradictions.

God's next catastrophic intervention into the affairs of rebellious mankind's evil doings will take place in two phases. The first involves the "mystery" Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 15: 51-55. All born-again believers who have died or are living will in one stunning moment be translated into supernatural bodies and instantly appear with Jesus Christ above planet earth.

Jesus tells that at the time of that event-the Rapture-things will be relatively normal for most living on the earth. As a matter of fact, I believe His words tell that it will be business even better than usual.

I will expand on this greatly in my next book which, God willing, will be available late this year.

The second phase of Christ's Second Coming will, of course, be that moment when He comes back with all the saints to put an end to man's most terrible war-Armageddon (Revelation 19:11-12).

At that time, the earth will have been devastated by war and God's wrath. Again, Jesus said that all flesh would die if He didn't intervene at that moment.

God's judgment will begin, Jesus said, the very day He is next "revealed." That will be at the Rapture, when all the earth will know there has been a tremendous event that made millions simply vanish. Like in Lot's day, God' judgment will begin that very day, Jesus says as recorded in Luke 17:26-30. God's wrath won't begin until the covenant of Daniel 9:27 is confirmed. But judgment will begin immediately, we are told by the Lord, Himself.

It will be a catastrophic intervention right from that twinkling-of-an-eye moment!

I believe we, as watchmen, should be observing the times to see if there is in the near future a noticeable upswing in national and international economies-this in conjunction with considering all the traditional signals that the Bible describes.

The award-winning singer and songwriter Stephen Marshall said something to me years ago that has stuck in my mind. He said, "A 150-watt light bulb can light a room, but a 150-watt laser can cut through 1½ inches of steel." That is the power of focus. Both the light bulb and the laser use the same amount of energy, but the focused laser can rip through steel strongholds.

The same is true in prayer. Unfocused prayer may light you up, but focused prayer will split and help demolish spiritual strongholds and enemy bastions in our nation.

This is-right now-the most critical hour to focus on intercession for our country and the world. The stage is being set in Europe, the Middle East and other parts of the world for prophetic events that may soon transpire on the earth according to biblical prophecies. The situations today in North Korea, Syria, Iran and Turkey scream out to intercessors, calling them to their duty stations.

In December, Israel took delivery of its first F-35 aircraft. They have ordered 50 of these high-powered fighter aircraft that can knock down 10 of the older F-15s almost simultaneously. The F-35 is the most advanced fighter jet in the history of the world. The digital data is connected to the pilot's helmet. The aircraft is stealth, not only being undetectable by radar but also has the unique ability to jam radar and disrupt signals to enemy aircraft. It is a revolutionary machine made here in America.

Now, apparently, Iran (Persia) does not want Israel to take possession of this incredible aircraft. Even Russia is nervous about it. We're told in Ezekiel 38 and 39 there will be a "Magog" invasion in the days ahead (which, by the way, is believed both by Christian and Jewish theologians.) This Magog invasion of the Holy Land could occur before the Israeli fighter pilots are fully trained in the F-35s. The Magog invasion will take place; the question is when. This attack will initiate the first major phase of Armageddon. It could happen within weeks. Or, intercessors could unite and perhaps hold if off for a season.

With the election of Donald Trump, some Christian leaders have said that America has received "a reprieve." One prophet wrote that America had been given a "stay of execution." Very few Americans discerned the real global agenda of the far left.

Because of the lawlessness in our country over the past years, we were, according to Franklin Graham, ripe for judgment. His assessment is absolutely in harmony with God's Word. If we have indeed been given "a reprieve," as many are saying, we must maintain the victory of that reprieve.

When the children of Israel entered the Promised Land, they still had a daily fight to drive out all the enemies and to conquer lands, streams and mountains. The battle was not over just because they set foot in the Promised Land. The same is true now. The fight is not over just because we have a president who is sympathetic with the Christian church and is willing to call out radical Islam for what it is.

That's why it is not the time to rest, but to get back on the wall and be the watchmen God has called us to be. Intercessors, arise! You are priests of the kingdom.

Think of those Christian families trapped in villages taken over by ISIS in Syria. You've read the stories of brutality. I read about a 14-year-old boy who was beheaded in front of his crying mom and dad because he missed a call to prayer. We cannot allow more of those into America who are determined to harm us, even though we know ISIS and ISIS motivated Islamic jihadists are already here, according to national intelligence groups. The former director of the FBI, James Comey, stated that ISIS now has a presence in all 50 of the United States.

Perhaps through our prayers and intercession God will relent, soften the judgment we deserve or cancel it all together and instead leave us a big blessing. I believe the ball is in our court. The intercessor, in partnership with the Holy Spirit, will now determine how America will go, either with the blessings of God or under the horrible bondage of a curse leading to strong delusion. Many believe Donald Trump is president today because of the enormous amount of intercessory prayer leading up to the election. Prayer groups were led by Mary Colbert, Michelle Bachman and hundreds of others.

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may declare the goodness of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Pet. 2:9).

The church represents another world: God's kingdom. God is certainly about to do something big through His church, and I want to be a part of it. And I know you do, too.

Supernatural power is given to us by the Holy Spirit to do what God has called us to do. We are limited in ourselves, but He takes the limits off by his Spirit. So everywhere we go, we carry the presence of another world. The Holy Spirit has unlimited resources, and God wants to demonstrate his boundless grace and kindness to us by working infinitely beyond our capabilities.

"You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation ... (1 Pet. 2:9a).

As a believer, you are a priest. A priest is an intercessor. An intercessor is a person who prays for people and against the kingdom of darkness.

Intercessors, arise! You are priests of the kingdom. America can only be great again when God's hand of blessing returns and believers respond with gratitude and militant intercessory war in the spirit.

This is the prayer checklist I use when praying for our nation and the world:

President Trump and his family

President Trump's cabinet and staff

Senators and Congressmen

State officials

Local officials

An end to the deception in America

Against the spirits behind ISIS and Islamic jihadists

Israel, the only real democracy in the Middle East

Churches/Pastors/Leaders

Revival, renewal, awakening

College campuses-eject extreme leftist, socialist professors

Police and firefighters

Schools/Teachers/Professors

Orphans/Widows

You are a priest in the kingdom. Rise up now in a prayer partnership with the Holy Spirit and other believers. Let's change the course of our nation.

In his first major foreign policy speech, the immediate previous "president" ventured into the heart of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and essentially agreed to partner with the terrorist organization to overthrow many governments in the Middle East through Arab Spring. While he didn't say that specifically, the destabilization of the Middle East was the result. This was a new direction for America in foreign policy regarding terrorism-that the US was not at war with Islam and never will be, according the ex-"president." At the same time, he fudged history saying that Islam and America share a rich history together-in reality, it is a sordid and violent history. Enter Donald Trump with a new message of nuance.

Trump went to Saudi Arabia where some of the most extreme Islamic violence is taught and exported through Wahhabism, yet many American politicians turn a blind eye to this as they pony up to Saudi money and influence. Trump was polite, but he had a different message to the Arab world than his predecessor. He said, "America is a sovereign nation and our first priority is always the safety and security of our citizens. We are not here to lecture-we are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship. Instead, we are here to offer partnership - based on shared interests and values - to pursue a better future for us all."

Trump also made terror-which is nearly exclusive to Islam-a central theme of his speech. He said, "But above all we must be united in pursuing the one goal that transcends every other consideration. That goal is to meet history's great test-to conquer extremism and vanquish the forces of terrorism...God's help, this summit will mark the beginning of the end for those who practice terror and spread its vile creed. At the same time, we pray this special gathering may someday be remembered as the beginning of peace in the Middle East - and maybe, even all over the world. But this future can only be achieved through defeating terrorism and the ideology that drives it."

He invoked "God" several times without defining who God is (allah or YHVH) and allowed each hearer of his message to personally determine who God is. But it was clear when he said that ending terrorism means "standing together against the murder of innocent Muslims, the oppression of women, the persecution of Jews and the slaughter of Christians." He said that religious leaders who choose the path of terror will have empty, brief lives and their souls "will be condemned." Trump continued as did his predecessors to gloss over the huge theological differences between Islam and those of Jews and Christians, but he put a stake in the ground against terrorism and the practices of Islam. This is pragmatic and prophetic.

Prophetic because he is saying emphatically that support of terrorism is condemnation of the soul and the US will not tolerate the slaughter of innocents, as Islam calls for in its Koran. In practicality, Trump is saying that the war against Jews and Christians is no longer acceptable or justified by actions that occurred centuries ago. Prophetically, he is saying America is back to supporting Israel against the extremism of Islam. Bottom line: God said of Israel in Genesis 12:3, "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curses thee." As a nation, we've had over a decade of declining relations with Israel and have suffered dire consequences for it. Now we have a chance to establish a different prophetic path.

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" -Acts 2:37

Peter was going for broke. Standing with the Eleven on the Day of Pentecost, he said to the crowd, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36).

Talk about taking a risk. They could have killed Peter for saying that. I wonder if Peter thought, "Okay, maybe I cowered before the opinion of someone I didn't even know by that fire in the courtyard, but those days are gone. I have new power now. I have the Holy Spirit permeating my life. And I'm going to tell the truth."

To show you that his message was the right one, look at their reaction: "Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?'" (verse 37). This could be translated, "They were pierced to the heart." This phrase appears only here in the New Testament, and it means "to pierce" or "stab." Thus, it depicts something sudden and unexpected. It was the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

We all have been stabbed in the back, but have you ever been stabbed in the heart? It's when someone says something to you that isn't easy to hear. The reason it hurt is because they were right. It feels like a horrible thing, but it is a good thing. Don't think of it as a sword killing you; think of it as a scalpel in the hand of a surgeon who's saving your life and cutting the cancer out.

At Pentecost, the people were stabbed in the heart by the scalpel of the Holy Spirit. There was a sense inside that they needed to get right with God.

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"Folks, it's all beginning to unravel. America is in more danger of falling than at any time in its history. But I believe Bible prophecy predicts this very decline. From this point on, we believers have to get serious. We are going to face discouragement, disillusionment and, most certainly, persecution in the time between now and the Rapture. But don't be discouraged or disillusioned. The coming turmoil will provide us unrivaled opportunities to share the good news of the Gospel. So be ready to share your faith and your hope with those who need Christ. We still have time to reap a great harvest of souls for God's kingdom!" - Hal Lindsey

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